Flint package seal for lighter fuel containers



April 14, 1964 B. RING 7 FLINT PACKAGE SEAL FOR LIGHTER FUEL CONTAINERS Filed Oct. 12, 1961 /17 'IIIIIIIII d A TTORNE Y United States Patent 3,128,878 FLINT PACKAGE SEAL FGR LIGHTER FUEL CONTAINERS Bernard Ring, 239 Park Ave. S., New York 3, NY. Filed Get. 12, 1961, Ser. No. 144,749 1 Claim. (ill. 206-42) This invention relates to a cartridge or holder for supporting a supply of flints for spark-type cigarette lighters and the like.

Cigarette lighters generally use fluid or gas fuel and flints and it is desirable to have both the fuel and flints handy and convenient for use when the lighter needs to be serviced.

A principal object of the present invention therefore is to provide a cartridge for supporting a supply of flints for cigarette lighters with means for attaching the cartridge to a fluid fuel can or gas container.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cartridge for supporting a supply of flints for cigarette lighters with means for attaching the cartridge to a fluid fuel can or gas container, the cartridge being shaped to serve as a seal for the can or container to which it is attached.

A further object is to provide a cartridge for supporting a supply of flints for cigarette lighters that is simple in construction, economical to manufacture and attractive in appearance.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claim in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a fluid fuel can with a cartridge of flints embodying the invention ap plied thereto, the cartridge being shown in dot-dash line in moved position.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view thereof.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the cartridge of flints.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on the plane of the line 44 of FIG. 1, on an enlarged scale, the cartridge being shown in moved adjusted position for removal of the flints.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 3, the cartridge being shown in dot-dash lines in bent condition for removal of a flint.

FIG. 6 is a reduced top plan view showing the cartridge applied to a modified form of can, the cartridge being shown in moved position in dot-dash lines.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the flint used in this device.

Referring in detail to the drawings, in FIG. 3 a cartridge for supporting flints for spark-type cigarette lighters is shown and designated generally by the reference numeral 10. The cartridge 10 is preferably molded of flexible plastic material but may be made of any other suitable flexible material. The cartridge comprises a a thin flat substantially rectangular-shaped body 12 with a round opening 14 at one end thereof, leaving a seminarrow flat portion 16 between the opening and adjacent end of the body.

At the other end, the body is formed with a series of upstanding spaced lugs 18 formed integrally with the body. The lugs are substantially rectangular in plan and are approximately three-sixteenths of an inch deep, providing a stall or groove 20 of similar dimensions therebetween. The opposed long walls of the lugs are formed with opposed teats 22 adjacent the ends thereof. The

3,128,878 Patented Apr. 14, 1964 "ice base of each stall or groove 29 is formed with a central slit 24 extending the length of the groove.

Each stall 2th is adapted to receive individual metal flints 26 used in cigarette lighters. The teats 22 yield when the flint is being inserted and tend to hold the flint securely and yieldably in place in the stall or groove. The slits 24 facilitate longitudinal flexure of the body of the cartridge to permit ready insertion or removal of a flint for use.

The construction and shape of the cartridge 10 is such that it can readily be applied to containers or cans containing fluid or gas fuel for cigarette lighters and the like. In FIG. 1 a can 30 of ordinary construction is shown with a cartridge 10 applied thereto.

The can has a rectangular-shaped body with flat front and rear walls 32 and 34, respectively, flat side walls 36, flat bottom wall 38 and a flat top wall 40. The top wall is formed with a tubular neck 42 at its center provided with an annular flange 44 at the top and an annular head 46 at the juncture of the body of the neck and flange 44. A plastic or metal nozzle 48 is supported on the neck 42. Nozzle 4-3 includes an inverted dishshaped body 50 with inner threads 52 and an elongated tapered tubular spout 54. A removable plastic or metal cap 55 seals off the spout. An annular flange 56 at the base of the spout inside the body fits in the opening in the top of the neck and guides the nozzle to position in assembling. The threads 52 snap over the bead 46 on the neck and hold the nozzle in position on the neck.

In use, a supply of flints 26 is supported by the cartridge, a flint 26 being snapped into each stall or groove 29 and held therein by the teats 22. Each flint, as seen in FIG. 7, is round in cross section and is approximately of the same dimensions as the stall or groove. The flint can readily be removed by flexing the body of the cartridge longitudinally as shown in FIG. 5, thereby spreading the lugs 18. The unperforated end of the body of the cartridge can be used as a fiinger piece or handle for manipulating the cartridge.

In assembling the cartridge 10 and the can 30, the opening 14 of the cartridge is slipped over the neck 42 of the can and positioned flatwise on the top wall 40 of the can. The nozzle 48 is then snapped over the neck with the bottom end surface of the body 55? thereof seating on the top surface of the cartridge. The cartridge thus seals off the joint between the nozzle and the top wall of the can. The cartridge normally is positioned with its body extending along the top wall of the can as seen in FIG. 1. When the cartridge is thus applied and attached to the can, it is always in sight, cannot be misplaced and is convenient for use. When it is desired to remove a flint it is merely necessary to swing the cartridge around the neck 4-2 of the can to the position shown in dot-dash lines in FIG. 1 so that the flint supporting end thereof protrudes beyond the front or rear wall of the can. When the cartridge is so protruding, the body portion thereof can be flexed longitudinally as shown in FIG. 5, spreading the lugs and permitting ready removal of a flint 26. The cartridge can be readily swung back tonormal position lengthwise of the top wall.

In FIG. 6, the cartridge 19 is shown applied to a can 30' of modified construction. In the can 30', the neck of the can is positioned at one end thereof instead of at the center as in can 3d of FIG. 1. When thus positioned, the cartridge extends to a point remote from the end of the top wall. In use, it is swung over the front or rear wall as shown in dot-dash lines similarly to use with a can having the neck at the center.

The width of the cartridge It is the same as the width of the top wall 4% of the can 3% and can 30 so that the cartridge does not interfere with the stacking of the cans 3 for storage and transportation. Furthermore, when the cartridge is swung over the front or real wall of the can, it serves as a handle for manipulating the can.

The can 30 with cartridge 10 attached thereto, serves as a kit for servicing a cigarette lighter and the like. The fuel and flint are convenient and ready for instant use.

While I have illustrated and described my invention applied to a rectangular-shaped liquid fuel can, it will be understood that the can might be any desired shape such as cylindrical or oval, and instead of a liquid fuel can, the invention might be applied to a container holding gas as the fuel. Of course, the cartridge might be dimensioned to support any desired number of fiints.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claim.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent A flint cartridge comprising a substantially rectangular flat body of flexible plastic material having a round hole at one end for attachment of the body to a cylindrical article, a series of short spaced aligned lugs integral with the body at the other end thereof and protruding thereabove, the spaces between the lugs constituting stalls, metal Hints for spark-type cigarette lighters removably mounted in the stalls, and teats on the opposed walls of the lugs for yieldingly holding the flints in the stalls, the base of each stall being slitted to facilitate flexure of the body. I"

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

